Plastic inserts for traverse curtain rods



Sept. 27, 1955 N. c. FETTE R 2,713,922

I PLASTIC INSERTS FOR TRAVERSE CURTAIN RODS Filed Aug. 22, 1952 UnitedStates PatentOfiFice PLASTIC INSERTS FOR TRAVERSE CURTAlN RODS Norman(1. Fetter, Freeport, Ill., assignor to Western N ewell Mtg. (30.,Freeport, Ill, a corporation of Illinois Application August 22, 1952,Serial No. 305,765 14 Claims. (Cl. 160-344) This invention relates totraverse rods for supporting curtains and draperies, and is moreparticularly concerned with improved molded plastic inserts forapplication to the ends of such rods.

Heretofore insert assemblies were provided in the higher priced curtainrods, consisting of stampings, small pulleys, and small screw machineparts, which were costly to manufacture and diflicult and costly toassemble, and were, moreover, apt to get out of order and requireattention. It is, therefore, the principal object of my invention toprovide improved, one-piece, molded plastic inserts, which, besidesbeing available at a small fraction of the cost of the old assemblies,afiord smoother and easier operation and involve nothing that is apt toget out of order.

The molded plastic inserts of my invention are designed to fit into theopen slot that extends lengthwise of the rod, and, hence, are applicableto any section of rolled shape, provided the slot is of standard sizeand uniform width. In addition, these inserts have the followingadvantageous features- 1) Rounded bosses are provided in longitudinallyspaced relation on the inner ends of the inserts, one of substantiallysmaller radius than the other, and these afford low friction operationand also vertical and hori- Zontal spacing of the cords, eliminatingrubbing of one cord on the other, so that wear and tear on the cords isreduced to a minimum in addition to aflfording smoother and easieroperation;

(2) The smaller cord-guide boss, at the outer end of the insert, isprovided with a T-shaped extension on which there are inwardlyprojecting lugs. This extension is fiexed outwardly with respect to therod when the insert is slipped into the slot, and when the lugs on theextension line up with notches provided in the rod opening off the slotat a predetermined distance inwardly from the end of the rod, the lugssnap into the notches and lock the insert in its assembled positionagainst accidental displacement, and yet the insert can be removedeasily enough by flexing the extension outwardly to disengage the lugsfrom the notches.

(3) The enlarged head end of each insert has an annular groove toreceive the bifurcated portion of a sheet metal supporting bracket, andthe head is formed on one side of the groove to provide a wall ofdecreased thickness adapted to be flexed, this thinner portion having arounded rib formed on the inner side thereof projecting normally intothe groove to ride on the bifurcated portion of the bracket when thelatteris entered in the groove, thereby causing some appreciabledeflection of the wall and giving a snug. fit, one which involvessufficient resilience so it will eliminate any likelihood of the rodworking loose from the bracket. 7

p (4) The plastic inserts are of symmetrical design with respect to thelongitudinal center-line, so that the same style of insert can be usedon either end of a rod and there is no confusion as to frights andlofts.

The invention is illustrated in the accompanying drawing, in which- Fig.1 is a rear view of a curtain rod equipped with molded plastic insertsin the opposite ends thereof made in accordance with my invention;

Fig. 2 is an enlarged end view of one of the supporting brackets,showing in end elevation the molded plastic insert on the adjacent endof the curtain rod entered in the bracket;

Fig. 3 is a top plan view of one of the plastic inserts on the samescale as Fig. 2, namely, approximately twice the actual size, indicatingin dotted lines the end portion of a curtain rod in assembled relationthereto;

Fig. 4 is a view of the inner or rear side of the insert appearing atthe left hand end of Fig. 1, showing how the two cord-guide bossescooperate with the opposite end portions of the pull cord, and showingagain in dotted lines the end portion of the curtain rod in assembledrelation thereto;

Fig. 5 is a similar view of the insert at the other end of the rod,showing how the inner one of the two cordguide bosses is used at thatend of the rod to guide the pull cord, although the insert at that endis identical with the insert used at the other end;

Fig. 6 is a cross-section on the line 6-6 of Fig. 5, indicating indotted lines, similarly as in Fig. 3, the deflection of the end portionof the insert required in assembling and disassembling the insert, dueto the provision of the snap-in locking lugs on the extension, and

Fig. 7 is a longitudinal section through the insert taken on the line7-7 of Figs. 4 and 6.

The same reference numerals are applied to corresponding partsthroughout the views.

Referring to the drawing, the reference numeral 8 designates aconventional hollow curtain rod of C-shaped cross-section having theusual longitudinally extending slot 9 on the inner or rear side, and 10designates the molded plastic inserts provided in accordance with myinvention in lieu of the insert assemblies used heretofore in such rods.Mounting brackets 11 of any suitable or preferred design, havingattachment pad por-' tions 12 adapted to be fastened by means of nailsor screws to the inside, or outside, of the window frame, provideextensions 13 in which are slidably guided the shanks 14 of supportingbrackets 15, which are bifurcated, as indicated at 16, for connectionwith the inserts or insert assemblies on the ends of the rod 8, and whenproperlyadjusted in or out on the mounting brackets 11 in relation tothe slots 17 provided in the latter are adapted to be clamped inadjusted position by the tightening of screws 18. No invention isclaimed in the structure thus fardescribed, excepting only in so far asthe novel details of the molded plastic inserts 10 cooperate in a novelway with end portions of the rod 8 and the bifurcated outer end portionsof the supporting brackets 15, as above pointed out and hereinafter morefully described.

The molded plastic inserts 10 are generally T-shaped, as best appears inFigs. 4 and 5, providing an elongated leg or bar portion 19 for entry inthe end of the rod 8 and an enlarged transversely extending head 20 onthe oneend thereof abutting the end of the rod. The bar 19 has 'twohalf-round bosses 21 and 22 provided thereon in longitudinally spacedrelation, the boss 21 at the end of the bar being of appreciably smallerradius than the boss 22 that is spaced inwardly from the end. These twobosses take the place of pulleys provided heretofore in insertassemblies and are adapted to have the two end portions of the pull cord23 slide thereon, as shown in Fig. 4, only the boss 22 being used on theinsert at the other end of the rod 8 where the cord makes a return loop,the one half-length of the cord within the rod 8' Patented Sept. 27,1955.

having the endmost slider 24 of the group 24, that work in the slot 9,attached thereto, and the other half-length having the other endmostslider 25 of the group 25 attached thereto for operation back and forthon the rod in the well known way in the opening and closing of thecurtain or drapery. Because the bosses 21 and 22 are half-round,symmetrical with respect to the longitudinal center-line (77 in Fig. 4),the one style of insert can be used at either end of the rod, and thereis, therefore, no confusion as to rights and lefts. The return loop. ofthe cord 23 could be guided on the smaller boss 21, but it is preferredto use the larger diameter boss 22, because that makes for easiersliding and keeps the flights of cord that much farther apart with lesslikelihood of their rubbing on one another. The, boss 22 is cut away onopposite sides at the outer end thereof along parallel lines to defineshoulders 26, which are spaced to correspond to the width of the slot 9in rod 8, so that, the portions of the rod on opposite sides of the,slot will fit on these shoulders, as indicated in Figs. 4, 5., and 6.The bar 19 is of small thickness throughout the major portion of itslength, as best appears in Fig. 3, and this reduced thicknessfacilitates the flexing of the end portion that includes the boss 21,as, indicated in dotted lines in Fig, 3, the boss 21, having a generallyT-shaped extension. 27 which lies in a plane above the top of the boss22, so as to lie on the outside. of'the rod 8 on opposite sides of slot9 when the portions of the rod 8 on opposite sides. of slot 9 aredisposed on the shoulders 26; li-shaped lugs.28. provided onv the innerside of the crossportion. of the- T'-shaped extension 27 are adapted toengage in notches 29. provided in the rod 8, on opposite sides. of theslot 9, at a predetermined distance inwardly from each end of the rod,as disclosed in Figs. 4 and 5, whereby to lock the inserts 10 inassembled relation to the rod and prevent accidental displacementthereof. The lugs. 28 inv the entry of the inserts in the opposite endsof the rod slide on the outside of the rod onopposite sides of the slot,the end portions of the inserts being flexed, as. indicated in dottedlines in Fig. 3, until the lugs 28 come into register with the notches29, whereupon they snap into place in said notches, the V-shape of thelugs 28. facilitating such assembly; While the lugs hold the insertssecurely in assembled position, it nevertheless requires very littleeffort to flex the end portion of an insert to the extent indicated indotted lines in Fig. 3, topermit withdrawal of the insert whenever thatshould be necessary, as, for example, when a new pull cord is beingsubstituted for one that has become worn out or soiled. The extension 27is reinforced by diagonally extendings webs 30 between the bottom of theboss 21 and the inner-side of the extension 27, asclearly appears inFigs. 3, 6, and 7.

' The end portions of the rod 8'have abutment with the,

inner-side of the enlarged, end portion 20, the shank 19. at this endhaving a transverse wall 31, the top surface 32- ofwhichlies in a commonplane with the shoulders.

26 -'onboss 22, and'are, therefore, arranged to haveabutrnent with theinside of the rod 8 on opposite sides. of the slot 9. A hollow box-likeportion 33 is molded integral with. the wall 31 between said wall andthe end portion and is of approximately the same size as the boss 22,and across the top of this box-like portion 33 is. a wall 34 insubstantially coplanar relation with the extension 27 and spaced fromthe top 32 of the wall 31: just enough to receive the wall of the rod 8on each side of: the s lot 9. In other words, the shank. 19. oftheinserthas,

abutmentwith the inner side of they rod 8 on opposite sides of slot 9 at32 and 26, and has abutment with the outer side of the rod at34. and 27,to prevent outwardor. inward displacement of'the insert with respect to,the

slotted portionof the rod, while the shoulders 26, boss 21, and end,portion 33 have abutment with the oppositesjidesof the slot: 9, toholdthe insertinalignmentwithithe;

rod. A reinforcing rib 35 is provided on the longitudinal 'center-linehfthe insert between the boss 22 and wall 31 to rigidify the insert up tothe portion 36 between the bosses 22 and 21, so that when the endportion 21 is flexed the rest of the insert will not flex with it. Thisrib is cut away, as indicated at 35' in Fig. 3, behind the guide 22,leaving ample room for the cord 23 to slide on the guide 22 crosswise ofone end of the rib 35, thereby locating the one lap or flight of thecord closer to the slotted side of the rod, the other lap or flight ofthe cord sliding on guide 21 operating on that guide farther away fromthe slotted side of the rod, as indicated in Fig. 3.

The enlarged end portion 20 of each insert is of generally rectangularform, as best appears in Figs. 2 and 6, and has a circumferentiallyextending groove 37 molded therein of a width approximately equal to thethickness of the supporting bracket 15, the bifurcated portion. 16 ofwhich is adapted to be entered in the groove, as shown in Fig. 2 and indotted lines in Fig. 4. In order to enable easy connection of theinserts with the brackets and yet provide sufficient friction hold and.resilience in the structure at the same time, to insure a goodconnection regardless of minor variations in thickness of brackets, Ihollow out the enlarged, end, portion 20 in the plane of the groove 37,as at 38, intransverse relation to the chamber in the box-like end 33 ofthe shank 19 and communicating therewith, as best appears in Figs. 4 and5, and I make the outer wall 39 of the groove 37 at this portion ofappreciably reduced thickness for increased flexibility, and, then,provide on: the inner side of this thinner wall section at the mid-pointa. rounded rib 40, which, when, the bifurcated portion 16 of, the,bracket 15' is entered in the groove 37 from either side of the insert,will cause the thin Wall section to be flexed outwardly, as, indicatedin dotted lines in Fig. 4, thereby keeping the rib. 40 pressed tightlyagainst the outer side of the bifurcated portion 16 while the inner sideof said bifurcated portion is pressed tightly against the. opposite sideof the groove, as indicated in dotted.

lines in Fig. 4, whereby to afford the desired friction hold andresilience in the structure to reduce liklihood of. the rod becomingdisplaced from the bracket even if the bracket is a trifle thin or isworn.

It, is believed. the foregoing description conveys a goodunderstandingof the objects and advantages of my invention. The appended claims havebeen drawn to cover all legitimate modifications and adaptations.

I- claim:

1. As an article of manufacture, a one-piece. molded insert for the. endof a hollow traverse curtain rod comprising a generally IT-shaped body,the leg portion of the '1?- being; adapted to, be entered in either endportion of a tubular C-section curtainrod, the latter having alongitudinally extending; slot inone Wall thereof between the ends Of.the C, saidlegportionbeing. elongated andof reduced cross-section inrelation to the cross-portion of the T,

which is adapted-to engage the end of said rod, both ends of saidcross-portion being formed alike for use interchangeably in. attachingthe rodto a supporting bracket, said legportion, havingv cord guidesprovided thereon in the form of bosses in longitudinally spaced relationon.

the longitudinal center line of said leg portion and there beingguide-ways defined on opposite sides of said. leg.

of the T, which is adapted to engage the end of said rod, both ends ofsaid cross-portion being formed alike for use interchangeably inattaching the rod to a supporting bracket, said leg portion having cordguides provided thereon in longitudinally spaced relation on thelongitudinal center line of said leg portion, said cord guides being inthe form of half-round bosses, one of smaller diameter at the outer endof said leg portion and another of larger diameter in inwardly spacedparallel relation to the first, the two bosses being symmetrical withrespect to said longitudinal center-linev 3. As an article ofmanufacture, a one-piece molded insert for the end of a hollow traversecurtain rod comprising a generally T-shaped body, the leg portion of theT being adapted to be entered in either end portion of a tubularC-section curtain rod, the latter having a longitudinally extending slotin one wall between the ends of the C, said leg portion being elongatedand of reduced cross-section in relation to the cross-portion of the T,which is adapted to engage the end of said rod, said leg portion havingcord guides provided thereon in longitudinally spaced relation, saidcord guides being in the form of bosses on said leg portion in spacedparallel relation on the longitudinal center-line of said leg portion,whereby said insert is adapted for use interchangeably in either end ofthe rod, the boss spaced inwardly from the end of said leg portionhaving parallel shoulders provided thereon for engagement on oppositesides of the slot in the C-section rod and on the inner side of said rodadjacent said slot, the boss at the end of said leg portion having awall thereon in a plane in spaced in parallel relation to said shouldersfor abutment on the outer side of the rod alongside said slot.

4. As an article of manufacture, a one-piece molded insert for the endof a hollow traverse curtain rod comprising a generally T-shaped body,the leg portion of the T being adapted to be entered in either endportion of a tubular C-section curtain rod, the latter having alongitudinally extending slot in one wall thereof between the ends ofthe C, said leg portion being elongated and of reduced cross-section inrelation to the cross-portion of the T, which is adapted to engage theend of said rod, said leg portions having cord guides provided thereonin longitudinally spaced relation, said cord guides being in the form ofbosses on said leg portion in spaced parallel relation on thelongitudinal center-line of said leg portion, whereby said insert isadapted for use interchangeably in either end of the rod, thecross-portion of the T-shaped body having an annular groove providedtherein in a plane normal to said center-line adapted to re- -ceive thehook of a supporting bracket engaging the insert from either side ofsaid cross-portion.

5. As an article of manufacture, a one-piece molded insert for the endof a hollow traverse curtain rod comprising a generally T-shaped body,the leg portion of the T being adapted to be entered in either endportion of a tubular C-section curtain rod, the latter having alongitudinally extending slot in one wall thereof between the ends ofthe C, said leg portion being elongated and or" reduced cross-section inrelation to the cross-portion of the T, which is adapted to engage theend of said rod, said leg portion having cord guides provided thereon inlongitudinally spaced relation, said cord guides being in the form ofbosses on said leg portion in spaced parallel relation on thelongitudinal center-line of said leg portion, whereby said insert isadapted for use interchangeably in either end of the red, thecross-portion of the T-shaped body having an annular groove providedtherein in a plane normal to said center-line adapted to receive thehook of a supporting bracket engaging the insert from either side ofsaid cross-portion, the outer wall of said annular groove being flexibleand resilient and the same having a rounded projection on the inner sidethereof which by engagement with the hook of said bracketwhen entered inthe groove from either side of said cross-portion is adapted to causeflexing of said outer wall, for the purpose described.

6. As an article of manufacture, a one-piece molded insert for the endof a hollow traverse curtain rod comprising a generally T-shaped body,the leg portion of the T being adapted to be entered in either endportion of a tubular C-section curtain rod, the latter having alongitudinally extending slot in one wall thereof between the ends ofthe C, said leg portion being elongated and of reduced cross-section inrelation to the cross-portion of the T, which is adapted to engage theend of said rod, said leg portion having cord guides provided thereon inlongitudinally spaced relation, said cord guides being in the form ofbosses on said leg portion in spaced parallel relation on thelongitudinal center-line of said leg portion, whereby said insert isadapted for use interchangeably in either end of the rod, thecross-portion of the T-shaped body having an annular groove providedtherein in a plane normal to said center-line adapted to receive thehook of a supporting bracket engaging the insert from either side ofsaid cross-portion, said leg portion also having a reinforcing ribprovided thereon between and connecting the cross-portion and the bossnearest said cross-portion, said rib being in a plane on thelongitudinal center-line of said leg portion passing through the twobosses, and said rib being partially cut away next to the boss to whichit is joined to define a locating notch for a cord when engaging saidboss as a cord guide so that the cord runs on said boss in a planenearer the slotted wall of the rod.

7. In a traverse curtain rod construction, for support on a pair ofbrackets each having an upwardly extending hook, an elongated memberinserted in one end of a hollow curtain rod and supported on one of saidhooks, said member having on the rod-enclosed end portion thereof asemi-circular cord guide of smaller diameter on the inner extremity ofsaid portion and a second semicircular cord guide of larger diameterintermediate the ends of said portion in spaced parallel relation on thelongitudinal center-line of said insert member, whereby said insertmember may be inserted and used for cord guide purposes interchangeablyin either end with either curved side of said guides uppermost, and acurtain operating cord defining an elongated U-loop inside said rod thatis suitably guided at the U-bend to permit pulling of either end of thecord to operate curtain support slides back and forth on the rod, saidcord having its end portions extending downwardly over the two guides onsaid insert member and out of said hollow curtain rod through an openingprovided in said rod.

8. In a traverse curtain rod construction, for support on a pair ofbrackets each having an upwardly extending hook, an elongated memberinserted in one end of a hollow curtain rod and supported on one of saidhooks,

- said member having on the rod-enclosed end portion thereof asemi-circular cord guide on the inner extremity of said portion and asecond semi-circular cord guide intermediate the ends of said portion inspaced parallel relation on the longitudinal center-line of said insertmember, whereby said insert member may be inserted and used for cordguide purposes interchangeably in either end of said rod with eithercurved side of said guides uppermost, and a curtain operating corddefining an elongated U-loop inside said rod that is suitably guided atthe U-bend to permit pulling of either end of the cord to operatecurtain support slides back and forth on the rod, said cord having itsend portions extending downwardly over the two guides on said insertmember and out of said hollow curtain rod through an opening provided insaid rod.

9. A traverse curtain rod construction as set forth in claim 8, whereinsaid insert member includes an outer end portion that projects from therod and is symmetrical in form on top and bottom with respect to saidlongitudinal center-line, said outer end portion having grooves providedin coplanar relation in opposite sides thereof for reception oftheupwardly extending hook portion of thebracket at either end of thecurtain rod from one or the other side of said member in the same plane.

8 10. A traverse curtain rod construction as set forth in claim 8,wherein said member includes an outer end portion that projects from therod and is symmetrical in form on top and bottom with respect to saidlongitudinal center-line, said outer end portion having an annulargroove provided therein adapted to receive the upwardly extending hookportion of the bracket at either end of the curtain rod from one or theother side of said member in the same plane, said member having aflexible resilient portion alongside said groove arranged to be flexedin the entry of said hooked bracket portion from either side, whereby toexert friction drag resisting accidental displacement of said memberfrom supporting connection with said bracket.

11'. A traverse curtain rod construction as set forth in claim 8,wherein said member includes an outer end portion that projects from therod and is symmetrical in form on top and bottom with respect to saidlongitudinal center-line, said outer end portion having grooves providedin coplanar relation in opposite sides thereof for reception of theupwardly extending hook portion of the bracket at either end of thecurtain rod from one or the other side of said member in the same plane,said member having a flexible resilient portion alongside said groovesgrooves arranged to be flexed in the entry of said hooked bracketportion from either side, whereby to exert friction drag resistingaccidental displacement of said member from supporting connection withsaid bracket.

12; A traverse curtain rod construction as set forth in claim 8, whereinsaid insert member includes an outer end portion that projects from theend of the rod and is symmetrical in construction at top and bottom withrespect to said longitudinal center-line for supporting connection witha bracket hook at either end of the curtain rod alike with either sideof the end portion facing downwardly toward the hook, said member havingon the outer end portion a flexible resilient part that is arranged tobe flexed when the connection with the bracket is made either way,whereby the part exerts friction drag resisting accidental displacementof said member from supporting connection with said bracket.

13. In a traverse curtain rod construction, for support on a pair ofbrackets each having an upwardly extending bifurcated portion, aone-piece molded elongated member inserted in one end of a hollowmetallic curtain rod of 50 C-shaped. cross-section, said rod having alongitudinally extendingslot in the one wall thereof between the ends oftion two bosses serving as cord guides when said portion isinserted ineither end of said rod the extremity ofsaid portion being flexible andhaving a transversely extending catch portion thereon which in theinsertion of said member in the end of said rod rides along the slottedwall of said rod with the extremity of said'portion flexed transverselyof said portion, and said slotted wall having a depression adapted toreceive said catch portion to lock said member releasably to said rod inassembled relationship.

14. In a traverse curtain rod construction, for support on a pair ofbrackets each having an upwardly extending bifurcated portion, aone-piece molded elongated memberinserted in one end of a hollowmetallic curtain rod of C-shaped cross-section, said rod having. alongitudinally extending slot in the one wall thereof between the endsof the C, said member being supported on one of said bifurcatedportions, the material of which said elongated member is molded beingflexible and resilient, said member having on the rod-enclosed endportion thereof in spaced parallel relation on the longitudinal centerline of said portion two-bosses serving as cord guides when said portionis inserted in either end of said rod, that end portion of said memberleftprojecting from the rod for support on the bifurcated portion of thebracket having vertically extending grooves-provided therein on oppositesides extending. inwardly from opposite ends of said portion to permitengagement on the bifurcated portion of the bracket from either side,one Wall of said grooved portion being flexible and having a projectionwhich by sliding engagement on thebifurcated portion of the bracket inthe entry thereof in said grooved portion is adapted to cause flexing ofsaid wall, whereby frictionally to resist displacement of the assembledparts from assembled relationship.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS1,884,391 Toelle Oct. 25, 1932 2,062,579 Kirsch Dec. 1, 1936 2,486,224Stutz Oct. 25, 1949 2,619,166 Graber Nov. 25, 1952 FOREIGN PATENTS552,188 Germany June 10, 1932;

